Strategy

Whether you’re in the midst of a maelstrom or just keeping an eye on clouds on the horizon, most leaders don’t take clear skies for granted any more. Along with the shifting broad geopolitical and economic landscape, you may be dealing with much more local upheavals that are no less challenging to deal with.

So, how can you think long-term when planning seems… honestly, kinda pointless? How can you make decisions when major events are looming that could have a major impact on your sector, membership, or organization? How can you make sure everyone’s rowing in the same direction even if the seas are getting seriously choppy?

But arguably, these kinds of times are exactly when we need a strategic mindset the most, so we don’t lose our sense of purpose and direction. Let’s talk about how strategy works in tumultuous times, both at the heights and in day-to-day practice. This session will provide big-picture guidance as well as usable suggestions for how your organization can weather whatever storms are coming your way.

Disruptors are facing a real dilemma. For years, association leaders were the ones pushing boundaries, facilitating and guiding change as oracles. But today, disruption is coming from the outside… and it’s not knocking politely. AI & ML creating opportunities that democratize knowledge but weaponize trust, shifting member demands that feel endless, political turbulence across all government levels with polarization to match, and post-pandemic fatigue still in recovery. The result? You’re expected to do more with less, lead through exhaustion, and still deliver relevance.

That’s where curiosity becomes a strategic advantage.

In this keynote, Fenton will introduce the Curiosity Compass ™, a tool he developed to help organizations lead from a place of regeneration instead of reactivity. It’s built for leaders navigating shrinking budgets, changing engagement models, and staff burnout. And it offers four practical mindsets that unlock innovation and adaptability, even when the ground keeps shifting.

Drawing from his experience as a governance expert, venture-backed founder and serial entrepreneur, and sought after innovation advisor across public and private sectors, Fenton will show how association leaders can use curiosity to:

> Rethink member value when expectations evolve
> Reframe constraints as creative catalysts
> Reignite their teams through strategic exploration
> Reclaim their role as change agents in uncertain times


Fenton’s not here to romanticize disruption. He’s here to make leaders feel equipped again — not overwhelmed. The Curiosity Compass isn’t just a framework. It’s a way to recalibrate leadership for the moment we’re in, and the moments we’re anticipating.


You’re already in the shift. This is how you lead it.

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